Pool cue systems

ABSTRACT

Pool cue systems are disclosed which include at least one graphical icon on the pool cue shaft adapted to be observed within the shooter&#39;s peripheral vision while shooting pool. The icons are preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis of the pool cue shaft at predetermined distances indicative of game parameters, which are stroke lengths, bridge hand locations, and stroke speeds. The icons are adapted to enable easy peripheral observation of pool cue stick motion while shooting pool with the eyes focused on an object billiard ball. The icons may additionally be decorative. Methods of use, making, and doing business are integral to the pool cue systems.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.10/949,868 for POOL CUE SYSTEMS filed Sep. 25, 2004 by Evans, et al. andwhich, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/599,632 filed Aug. 5, 2004 entitled POOL CUE SYSTEMS.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pool cue system including a novelpool cue shaft and methods for using same, and more particularly to apool cue system including pool cue stick with a cue shaft having one ormore stroke graduations iconified thereon which are within theperipheral vision of a pool cue stick user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pool cue sticks are used for shooting pool and in related billiardgames. Typically, a pool cue stick has a smooth-surfaced forwardportion, or pool cue shaft, having a first end upon which a tip forimpacting a billiard ball or pool cue ball is attached. The attachmentmay include a ferrule for holding a tip in place or for other purposes.Pool cue sticks are commercially available in single-piece and two-piececonstruction. With the single-piece construction pool cue stick, ahandle portion, or butt or cue, extends continuously in generally axialalignment from the second end of the pool cue shaft. A pool cue stickhaving two-piece construction typically has a coupling between the poolcue shaft and the handle portion that may be connected or disconnectedby hand. Decoration of the handle portion is well known, with someornate versions selling for thousands of dollars. Pool cue sticks aremanufactured in various standard lengths for persons of respectivelyvaried sizes.

In shooting pool, the pool cue stick is used to impact and propel a cueball to subsequently impact an object ball in order to propel the objectball, or a subsequently impacted billiard ball, into a pocket near theperiphery of a pool table playing surface. The motion of the pool sticktoward the cue ball is called the “stroke.” When making the pool shot,the pool shooter's eye should be focused on the object ball for bestresults. The cue ball and the pool cue shaft are usually within theperipheral vision of the pool shooter. Control of the pool cue stickduring the stroke is critical to accuracy, as both the resultant spinand velocity of the cue ball will determine the subsequent path of theobject ball toward the pocket.

To learn to control the pool cue stick requires observing the motion ofthe cue stick while shooting, in order to learn how variations in poolcue motion affect the shot. For example, unintended small sidewaysmotions of the pool cue stick will degrade shot accuracy. Other motionof the stick, such as stroke length, speed, rotation, and verticalmotion are also important to shot accuracy. To observe these pool cuestick motions, beginners often focus their eyes on the pool cue stickand/or the point where the tip of the pool cue shaft will impact the cueball, with frustrating results.

A number of apparatuses for improving aiming with pool cue sticks haveaccompanied the increasing popularity of the sport of pool and relatedbilliard games. Assorted training devices for improving aim areavailable, but cannot generally be used in competition. Many of theseare cumbersome, such as mechanical devices that attach to the pool cueshaft or other practice devices that cannot be used in tournament play.Some of the mechanical devices may interfere with the bridge hand (thehand upon which or within which the pool cue stick slides during ashot), thereby teaching worse practices. Still other approaches requirethe pool shooter to focus on the point where the tip of the pool cuestick impacts the cue ball, thereby preventing the student from focusingon the object ball, which is the preferred method. One apparatus thatcan be used in competition provides a pair of longitudinal sightingreferences that do not improve stroke length or stroke speedvisualization.

British patent application GB 2219517A published Dec. 13, 1989 discloses“[A] cue bearing a sighting aid at a position within the user's field ofview when using the cue, normally nearer the striking tip of the cuethan the user's eyes, so that simply keeping the sighting aid in viewassists the player in moving the cue reliably in the intended directionfor the cue ball and in avoiding twisting of the cue” (Gibney 2). Gibneydiscloses that its sighting aid may be “an arrow formation including astraight line shaft and connected to spaced head or V” (Gibney 6).Gibney also discloses that “[I]t is to be appreciated that any way ofmarking a suitable eye-training component or indication may be employed,and that its nature is subject to considerable variation compared with asimple solid or outline V as indicated in the drawings” (Gibney 6).Gibney does not disclose locating his icons based on a stroke length, abridge-hand location, or calibrations for stroke speed.

The present inventors have identified and isolated the problem: what islacking are methods and apparatuses (together comprising a pool cuesystem) which enable easy peripheral observation of various pool cuestick motions by the pool shooter and which can be used duringtournament play. Accordingly, what is needed is a pool cue systemincluding a pool cue stick having a device that easily reveals pool cuestick motion to the peripheral vision of the pool shooter. A furtherneed is that the device for revealing pool cue stick motion does notinterfere with the stroke of the pool cue stick during preparatorystrokes and shots. Another need is for the device to easily reveal thestroke length and speed to the peripheral vision of the pool shooter. Afurther need is for the device to be allowable in tournament play. Yet afurther need is for the pool cue system to easily reveal rotationalmotion of the pool cue stick about each of three axes of rotation. Yetanother need is for the pool cue system to indicate properties of thepool cue shaft. Yet another need is for a pool cue system to assist inadvertising during tournament play. Yet another need is for the pool cuesystem to be economical, practical, and durable. To meet theabove-mentioned needs and to solve the above-mentioned problems,applicants present what follows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides one or more graphicalicons appearing on the pool cue shaft that have axes aligned with thelong axis of the pool cue shaft. The icons may be located according to apredetermined standard, optionally related to the size of the poolstick, or may be placed according to individual custom specification. Ina preferred embodiment, the graphical icons are at least partiallycircumferential about the pool cue shaft. The icons may be formed usingany means. Preferably, the icons do not protrude from the smooth surfaceof the pool cue shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view illustrating a pool shooter usingan exemplary embodiment of the pool cue system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a pool cueshaft of the exemplary pool cue system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of apool cue shaft of an exemplary pool cue system according to the presentinvention and showing section lines for section 3-3′;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view along section 3-3′ of FIG. 3 illustratingthe interior 400 of the exemplary embodiment of the exemplary pool cuesystem of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is a sectional view along section 3-3′ of FIG. 3 illustratingthe interior of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the exemplary poolcue system of FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary poolcue stick of an exemplary pool cue system having a pool cue shaftportion according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a pool cue shaft ofan exemplary pool cue system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view illustrating a pool shooter 102using an exemplary embodiment of the pool cue system 100 according tothe present invention. Pool shooter 102 is shown using an exemplaryembodiment of the pool cue stick 104, including pool cue shaft 106,ferrule 110, and tip 108. The pool shooter 102 has aligned the pool cuestick 104 with a desired velocity vector of the cue ball 114 towards theobject ball 116 in expectation of causing the object ball 116 to fallinto a pocket 118. The eyes of the pool shooter 102 are focused on theobject ball 116, creating line of sight 126 as indicated by the dashedline. The iconic graduations (hereinafter “icons” or “graduating icons”)122 and 124 appearing on the pool cue shaft 106 are within theperipheral vision 120 of the pool shooter 102, as indicated by thedotted lines. The icons 122 and 124 are referred to as “graduations” byvirtue of being located at predetermined distances from the tip 108 orthe ferrule 110 in order to be used as stroke length indicators, bridgehand locations, and stroke speed graduations. For example, the firsticon 122 may be located immediately proximate the shooter's bridge hand112 when the tip 108 of the pool cue shaft 106 is almost touching thecue ball 114, and a second icon 124 may be located immediately proximatethe shooter's bridge hand 112 at the end of the stroke. In that example,the predetermined distance between the icons 122 and 124 and theirrelationship to ferrule 110 defines the desired stroke length. In analternate embodiment having only a single icon 122 or 124, apredetermined distance between the ferrule 110 and the icon 122 or 124by define a stroke length.

The icons 122 and 124 are graphical designs appearing to the peripheralvision 120 of a pool shooter 102 at the exterior surface of the pool cueshaft 106 when the pool cue 104 is in use. The icons 122 and 124 shouldbe large enough to be distinct in the peripheral vision 120 of the poolshooter 102. A minimum width and length of ¼ inch is preferred and amaximum length of one inch for the icon is also preferred. An icon 122or 124 may be a portion of a larger iconic design. Those skilled in theart, upon reading the teachings of this specification, will appreciatethat, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues asvarious pool shots and techniques, expertise of the prospective user,and ergonomic factors, other predetermined distances, such as thoseadapted for particular shots or techniques, etc., may be used with poolcue system 100.

Pool shooter 102 preferably observes pool cue shaft 106 motion with hisperipheral vision 120 during preparatory motions of the pool stick 104and during the actual shot. The preparatory motions are strokes similarto a pool shot stroke but which do not contact the cue ball 114.Peripheral observations made during preparatory motions enable the poolshooter 102 to refine his shot by peripherally observing repeated poolcue shaft 106 preparatory motions and sequentially refining his strokelength and stroke speed. When pool cue stick 104 stroke lengths andstroke speeds have been satisfactorily refined, the stroke is said to be“locked in”, and the shot stroke is then executed. Preferably, the icons122 and 124 are positioned, sized, surface-treated, and shaped to beclearly visible in the peripheral vision 120 of the pool shooter 102during preparatory motions. Those skilled in the art, upon reading theteachings of this specification, will appreciate that, under appropriatecircumstances, considering such issues as the various pool shots to bemade, user preference, and ergonomic factors, etc., other arrangementsof icons 122 and 124, such as arrangements adapted to enhance peripheralvisibility for a plurality of the various shots during preparatorymotions, etc., may be used with pool cue system 100.

In various alternate embodiments, additional icons 122 and 124 may beadded for various stroke lengths corresponding to various shots. Forexample, a longer stroke length may be indicated for a break shot thanfor an ordinary pool shot. In other alternate embodiments, thepredetermined distance may indicate a user-preferred viewingrelationship rather than a stroke length. In another preferredembodiment, there may be a single icon 122 or 124 having a predetermineddistance from the ferrule 110. Those skilled in the art, upon readingthe teachings of this specification, will appreciate that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as level of expertiseof the prospective user, sophistication of the prospective user, andergonomic factors, other arrangements of icons, such as larger numbersof icons, equally spaced-apart sequences of icons, icons having varioussizes scaled to the graduation distances, various designs of icons 122and 124, etc., may be used with pool cue system 100.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment 200 of a poolcue shaft 106 of the exemplary pool cue system 100 of FIG. 1. The poolcue shaft 106 preferably has a tip end 220 and a distal end 240. Aferrule-receiving portion 230 of pool cue shaft 106 supports the ferrule110 and the tip 108, while the distal end supports coupling 210. Icons122 and 124 are illustrated as circumferential bands, or rings, aboutthe pool cue shaft 106. Circumferential icons 122 and 124 may be appliedsuperficially or may be discs built into the pool cue shaft 106. Theicons 122 and 124 may be of any material having a surface that willeasily catch the peripheral vision 120 of the pool shooter 102. Forexample, metals, holographic materials, stones, plastics, wood of acontrasting color, composite materials, ceramics, pigments, or bone.Preferably, the material forming the icons 122 and 124 is selected tomaintain the stiffness and elasticity of the material of the pool cueshaft 106. Icons 122 and 124 may be of different materials. Thoseskilled in the art, upon reading the teachings of this specification,will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, considering suchissues as user preference, desired contrast level, and materialsavailability, other types of materials, such as mother-of-pearl,rhinestones, electronic materials, etc., may be used with pool cuesystem 100.

In some alternate embodiments, the icons 122 and 124 may be imagescaused to appear at the outer surface of the pool cue shaft 106. Forexample, a projection apparatus (for example, a light source, a lens,and an iconic mask) located inside a transparent pool cue shaft 106 mayproject an iconic image through the transparent pool cue shaft 106,causing the icon 122 or 124 to become apparent to an outside viewer. Afirst advantage of such a system may be the ability to adjust thepositions of the icons 122 or 124 on a particular pool cue shaft 106 bychanging the projection apparatus position or focus. Another advantageof such a pool cue system 100 may be the ability to turn the icons 122and 124 off when desired. For another example, the icon 122 or 124 maybe formed by providing a transparent material in an iconic shape inlaidin an opaque pool cue shaft 106 and illuminated from within the pool cueshaft 106. Those skilled in the art, upon reading the teachings of thisspecification, will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances,considering such issues as cost, pool cue stick 104 weight and balance,etc., other types of iconic imaging, such as external projection, liquidcrystal displays, etc., may be used to produce graduating icons 122 and124 appearing on pool cue shaft 106 of pool cue system 100.

In a preferred embodiment, icon 122 is located slightly more than fourinches from the ferrule 110 and icon 124 is located approximately teninches from the ferrule 110. This relationship enables easy peripheralobservation of the stroke lengths for the pool cue shaft 106 during ashot. For visualization of stroke speed along the longitudinal axis 201of the pool cue stick 104, circumferential icons 122 and 124 arepreferably non-uniformly circumferential. For example, a circumferentialband of icons, such as diamonds, preferably discrete, provides improvedperipheral visualization of the stroke speed of the pool cue shaft 106.In another preferred embodiment using one icon 124, that icon 124 islocated approximately ten inches from the ferrule 110, which may alsoserve as a relative point of reference for peripheral visualization.Stroke length may also be observed, thereby permitting improved controlof the speed of the cue ball 114 (FIG. 1). Peripheral observation of thepool cue stick 104 stroke improves shooting. Experimentation with theembodiment of FIG. 2 improved the experimental subjects' ratings by 1 to1.5 levels.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating another exemplary embodiment 300 of apool cue shaft 106 of the exemplary pool cue system 100 according to thepresent invention and showing section lines for section 3-3′. In apreferred embodiment, first icon 302 is located a first predetermineddistance 312 from ferrule 110 and that first predetermined distance 312is a stroke length or bridge hand 112 location. Second icon 304 islocated a second predetermined distance 313 from ferrule 110 and thatsecond predetermined distance 313 a second stroke length, second bridgehand location, or graduated offset 314 from the first icon. Second icon304 is thereby a third predetermined distance 314 from first icon 302,and that graduated offset 314 is graduated for stroke length or toassist in observing stroke speed. Third icon 306 is located a fourthpredetermined distance 315 from ferrule 110 and that fourthpredetermined distance 315 is a third stroke length, third bridge handlocation, or a graduated offset 318 from the second icon 304. Icon 306also creates fifth and sixth predetermined distances 318 and 320, whichare preferably related to stroke length or stoke speed. Preferably, thegame parameters to which fifth and sixth predetermined distances 318 and320 are related are the game parameters related to stroke parameters,such as stroke lengths and stroke speeds. “Game parameters” as definedand used herein, mean measurable quantities, including stroke lengths,bridge hand locations, and graduated offsets that can be used to aid inmeasuring stroke speed. The term “game parameters” as defined and usedherein, does not include processes, such as “aiming”, which involvesangular estimation. In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment sixthpredetermined distance 320 represents a second offset from icon first302 for gauging stroke length or stroke speed. The first predetermineddistance 312 from the ferrule 110 to the icon 302 is preferably morethan four inches. Preferably, the icon 306 closest to the coupling 210is at least four inches from the coupling 210.

Icons 302, 304, and 306 have half-widths 322 that vary at least twice.For example, as the variation in half-width is viewed along axis 321,icon 306 first becomes wider and then becomes narrower. The presentinventor has found that such bi-variant icons assist in stroke speedestimation. Icons 302, 304, and 306 each exhibit this bi-variantproperty. Icons of greater complexity, having multi-variant half-widths(a super set of the subset of bi-variant half-widths), are also withinthe scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art, uponreading the teachings of this specification, will appreciate that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as age and size ofthe intended user, particular game parameters, and length 316 of thepool cue shaft 106, other or additional predetermined distances, such asshorter, longer, etc., may be used with pool cue system 100.

Graduating icons 302, 304, and 306 preferably contrast with the color ofthe pool cue shaft 106 for easy peripheral visualization. The icons 302,304, and 306 may be of any shape or design and are preferably alignedalong the longitudinal axis 201 of the pool cue shaft 106. The icons302, 304, and 306 may be decorative as well as functional. For example,game-related shapes such as diamonds, circles, clubs, spades, hearts,dice, arrows, and the like, or sub-cultural icons 302, 304, and 306 suchas moons, bats, dragons, motorcycles, skulls, crosses, and the like, maybe used. In some embodiments, trademark logos may used as icons 302,304, and 306 to provide advertising, for example, during televised poolcompetitions which often have an overhead television camera showing poolcue shafts 106. Those skilled in the art, upon reading the teachings ofthis specification, will appreciate the wide variety of icons 302, 304,and 306, such as coats of arms, flags, team colors or logos, etc., thatmay be used with pool cue system 100.

Some pool cue shafts 106 have a stiffness that is non-uniformlydistributed radially about the longitudinal axis 201 of the pool cueshaft 106. When such a pool cue shaft 106 is held horizontally androtated about the longitudinal axis 201 to provide the greateststiffness in a vertical plane, the top edge of the pool cue shaft 106 isreferred to as the “spine” of the pool cue shaft 106. It is preferred touse a non-uniformly stiff pool cue shaft 106 with the spine upward. Forsuch non-uniformly stiff pool cue shafts 106, the graduating icons 302,304, and 306 may be aligned to indicate the spine, thereby combining thefunctions of stroke graduation, peripheral visualization of off-axispool cue motion, and spine indication. Providing trademark logos asgraduating icons 302, 304, and 306 on the spine of the pool cue shaft106 may improve advertising where the logo-bearing exterior surface ofpool cue shaft 106 will be facing the overhead television camera duringtelevised competition. In an alternate embodiment, graduating icons 302,304, and 306 may appear in pairs bracketing the spine, therebyindirectly indicating spine location. Those skilled in the art, uponreading the teachings of this specification, will appreciate that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as advances in theart of controlling the uniformity of stiffness in pool cue shafts 106,other rotational non-uniformities in characteristics of a pool cue shaft106, etc., other arrangements for graduating icons 302, 304, and 306,such as strength indicators, modal vibration node indicators, etc., maybe used with pool cue system 100.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view along section 3-3′ illustrating anembodiment 400 of the interior of the exemplary embodiment 300 of theexemplary pool cue system 100 of FIG. 3. The icons 302, 304, and 306 maybe created by various methods. For examples, straining, applique, inlay(of any material), decal, paint, marking, embossing, engraving, carving,build-in, or cladding may be used. Icon 302 is illustrated as beingformed with a dowel 401 through the pool cue shaft 106. The dowel 401 ispreferably inserted into a pool cue shaft 106 blank before the blank ismachined on a lathe into final form. Dowel 401 is preferably made of thesame material as the pool cue shaft 106 and of a contrasting color. Forexample, with a wooden pool cue shaft 106, dowel 401 may be of the samewood, stained a contrasting color, and inserted to align its grain witha grain of the pool cue shaft 106. For those iconographic approachesthat interrupt the smooth exterior surface 403 of the pool cue shaft106, the smooth exterior surface 403 is preferably reestablished. Forexample, an engraved icon 304 may be filled with an acrylic material 405and polished to make the exterior surface 403 of the pool cue shaft 106smooth. Those skilled in the art, upon reading the teachings of thisspecification, will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances,considering such issues as economics, advances in the art ofmanufacturing pool cue shafts 106, new image transfer techniques, etc.,other methods of creating icons 302, 304, and 306 for pool cue shafts106, such as lithography, computer printing, laser engraving, laserprinting, etc., may be used with pool cue system 100.

FIG. 4B is a sectional view along section 3-3′ illustrating anembodiment 470 of the interior of an alternate exemplary embodiment 300of the exemplary pool cue system 100 of FIG. 3. For example, anembossed, decaled, clad, or appliqued icon 306 (illustrated inexaggerated relief) may define a new exterior surface 402 for pool cueshaft 106. A coating material 410 of preferably equal thickness may beapplied to the remainder of the exterior surface 403 of pool cue shaft106 to re-create a new smooth exterior surface 402. Coating material 410may also be used to cover tactile variations that may be produced inmaking icons 302 and 304, as shown. Those skilled in the art, uponreading the teachings of this specification, will appreciate that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as economics,advances in the art of manufacturing pool cue shafts 106, new adhesionand coating techniques, etc., other methods of applying material iconsto the surfaces of pool cue shafts 106 and re-creating a smooth exteriorsurface 402, such as film deposition, pressure bonding, and metalplating, etc., may be used with pool cue system 100.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an embodiment 500 of an exemplarypool cue stick 502 of the pool cue system 100 having a pool cue shaft106 portion according to the present invention. Pool cue stick 500 isillustrated as being of one-piece construction but may also represent anassembled two-piece construction pool cue stick 502. The overall length506 of the pool cue stick 500 may be of any size acceptable for aparticular type of billiard game. Handle length 504 and shaft length 316are typically each about one-half the overall length 506. Thepredetermined distances 312, 313, 314, 315, 318, and 320 of icons 302,304, and 306 may be proportional to the overall length 506 and the shaftlength 316. The predetermined distances 312, 313, 314, 315, 318, and 320are preferably determined based upon game parameters which are strokeparameters (stroke lengths, brifge hand locations, and stroke speeds)and optionally may also be based upon cue shaft property parameters suchas spine indication or other physical properties of pool cue shaft 106.Predetermined distances 312, 313, 314, 315, 318, and 320, which areinitially chosen for their relationship to a game parameter, mayadditionally have a relationship to external factors, such as ergonomicfactors, personal preference, or production standardization. Thoseskilled in the art, upon reading the teachings of this specification,will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, considering suchissues as emerging research findings in pool ergonomics, peripheralvision, and pool physics, as well as market research, etc., otherarrangements of icons and predetermined distances, such as foradditional shot types, variation about the pool cue shaft 106circumference, adaptation to a children's billiard game, etc., may beused with pool cue system 100.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an embodiment 600 of the pool cueshaft 106 of the exemplary pool cue system 100. The graphical icons 602and 604 may be features of a larger iconic design 601 visible at theexterior surface 403 of the pool cue shaft 106. For example, a largericonic design 601 comprising two transverse extensions 602 and 604 to alongitudinal line 606 may suffice to provide stroke graduations alongthe pool cue shaft 106. Longitudinal line 606 may be, for example,representational of an iconic dragon's spine, an iconic alligator'sspine, or the centerline of an iconic motorcycle, viewed from above. Thetransverse extensions 602 and 604 may represent iconic wings, legs, andhandlebars, respectively. In an alternate embodiment, the extensions 602and 604 may be at least partially circumferential about the pool cueshaft 106. In another alternate embodiment, the ferrule 110 may supportan icon 122, 124, 302, 304, 306, 602 or 604. Those skilled in the art,upon reading the teachings of this specification, will appreciate thewide variety of icon design features, such as dragon eyes, spots onbutterfly wings, colored rings on a coral snake design, etc., that maybe used to produce icons 602 and 604 for marking graduations on a poolcue shaft 106 in pool cue system 100.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. Itshould be understood that various changes can be made in the functionand arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalentsthereof.

1. A pool cue system comprising: a) a pool cue shaft having: i) alength; ii) an exterior surface; iii) a tip end; iv) a circumference; v)a distal end; and vi) a ferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue shaftproximate the tip end; and b) a first icon appearing on said exteriorsurface of said pool cue shaft, observable within a user's peripheralvision when said pool cue shaft is in use, c) wherein said first icon islocated a first predetermined distance axially along said pool cue shaftfrom said ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and d) saidpredetermined distance is equal to a first stroke length.
 2. The poolcue system of claim 1, further comprising: a) a second icon appearing onsaid exterior surface of said pool cue shaft, observable within a user'speripheral vision when said pool cue shaft is in use, b) wherein saidsecond icon is located a second predetermined distance axially alongsaid pool cue shaft from said ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cueshaft; and c) said second predetermined distance is equal to a secondstroke length.
 3. The pool cue system of claim 2, wherein: a) saidsecond icon has an iconic axis aligned to said length of said pool cue;b) said second icon has a multi-variant half-width along said iconicaxis.
 4. The pool cue system of claim 3, wherein said first iconcomprises a feature of a larger iconic design.
 5. The pool cue system ofclaim 2, wherein said second icon comprises a second icon disposed aboutsaid entire circumference of said pool cue shaft.
 6. The pool cue systemof claim 1, wherein: a) said first icon has an iconic axis aligned tosaid length of said pool cue; and b) said first icon comprises amulti-variant half-width along said iconic axis.
 7. The pool cue systemof claim 6, wherein said first icon comprises a feature of a largericonic design.
 8. The pool cue system of claim 1, wherein said firsticon comprises a first icon disposed about said entire circumference ofsaid pool cue shaft.
 9. The pool cue system of claim 1, furthercomprising at least two icons axially aligned to said first icon.
 10. Apool cue system comprising: a) a pool cue shaft having: i) a length; ii)an exterior surface; iii) a tip end; iv) a circumference; v) a distalend; and vi) a ferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue shaft proximatethe tip end; and b) a first icon appearing on said exterior surface ofsaid pool cue shaft, observable within a user's peripheral vision whensaid pool cue shaft is in use, c) wherein said first icon is located afirst predetermined distance axially along said pool cue shaft from saidferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and d) said firstpredetermined distance is equal to a first stroke length; e) a secondicon appearing on said exterior surface of said pool cue shaft,observable within a user's peripheral vision when said pool cue shaft isin use, f) wherein said second icon is located a second predetermineddistance axially along said pool cue shaft from said ferrule-receivingportion of said pool cue shaft; and g) said second predetermineddistance is equal to a second stroke length.
 11. The pool cue system ofclaim 10, wherein: a) said first and second icons each have an iconicaxis aligned to said length of said pool cue; and b) said first andsecond icons each have a multi-variant half-width dimension along saidiconic axis.
 12. The pool cue system of claim 11, wherein said first andsecond icons each comprises a feature of a larger iconic design.
 13. Thepool cue system of claim 12, wherein said first icon comprises a firsticon disposed about said entire circumference of said pool cue shaft.14. The pool cue system of claim 16, further comprising at least twoicons axially aligned to said first icon.
 15. A pool cue systemcomprising: a) a pool cue shaft having: i) a length; ii) an exteriorsurface; iii) a tip end; iv) a circumference; v) a distal end; and vi) aferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue shaft proximate the tip end;and b) a first icon appearing on said exterior surface of said pool cueshaft, observable within a user's peripheral vision when said pool cueshaft is in use, c) wherein said first icon is located a firstpredetermined distance axially along said pool cue shaft from saidferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and d) saidpredetermined distance is equal to one of a first stroke length and afirst bridge hand location.
 16. The pool cue system of claim 15, furthercomprising: a) a second icon appearing on said exterior surface of saidpool cue shaft, observable within a user's peripheral vision when saidpool cue shaft is in use, b) wherein said second icon is located asecond predetermined distance axially along said pool cue shaft fromsaid ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and c) saidsecond predetermined distance is equal to one of a second stroke length,a second bridge hand location, and a graduated offset from said firstpredetermined distance.
 17. The pool cue system of claim 16, wherein atleast one of said first icon and said second icon comprises an icondisposed circumferentially about said pool cue shaft.
 18. The pool cuesystem of claim 16, wherein: a) at least one of said first icon and saidsecond icon comprises an icon having an iconic axis aligned to saidlength of said pool cue; and b) at least one of said first and secondicons has a multi-variant half-width dimension along said iconic axis.19. The pool cue system of claim 16, wherein said first and second iconseach comprises a feature of a larger iconic design.
 20. The pool cuesystem of claim 16, further comprising at least two icons axiallyaligned to said first icon.